Things to Do in Slovakia

This neoclassical building is very much the home of the arts in Bratislava. Here, the national ballet and opera can be viewed amidst gloriously opulent surroundings.

The UNESCO-protected Spissky Hrad is the largest castle in Slovakia. There's a museum displaying weapons, armor, implements of torture and a replica of the castle before it fell to ruin, in addition to beautiful views of the Spis region from the observation deck.

Grim but fascinating, visitors will need a strong stomach for these medieval torture chambers and cells.

This rococo late baroque building is the residence of the country's president. The beautiful gardens were made into a public park as part of the palace's reconstruction in the early 1990s.

While it features an impressive overview of Slovak art, the museum's most remarkable and extensive collection is of Gothic religious art. Other exhibits include a selection of paintings by the 19th century expressionist Slovak painter, Ladislav Mednansky, one of Central Europe's most important artists.